How much does a vintage slug-bug cost?

About how much would a vintage record player cost?

• I am looking for a good record player. I like vintage-looking stuff, so preferably it would be old and nice looking. I also want it to be a good record player. I don't want it to cost too much though. Suggestions on what type of player or where I could find one?

• Answer:

  Shop around, I do not endorse ebay for something like this due to shipping costs... vintage turntables are heavy. But check out goodwill, craigslist, garage and estate sales. Do a web search of your area for antique radio repair, if you have a local guy who can fix them, and at a reasonable price, you have more options to get a good deal on a non-working model (not a lot actually can go wrong with most, and what can are easy fixes for someone who knows what they are doing) and/or you can have it fixed if you buy a working one that later stops working. (Plus it is a good idea to have a vintage working one looked at, cleaned, and lightly serviced if you can just for good measure) As far as cost, that is another good reason to avoid ebay, antique stores, or any other venue that prices are driven by collectors. Go to places where the seller is not hunting for collectors and expecting to get a collectors price for the thing. I personally draw my lines at 75-100 for working units depending on size, style, features, etc. Non-working I top out at about 40 because it is gonna cost me around 100 to get it fixed. I have 5 vintage stereo systems, ranging from a suitcase sized portable record player, to a 9 foot long 500 pound console stereo w/ turntable, AM/FM/SW radio, reel to reel tape and built in bar. None cost me more than 65 and all either work or were fixed (except the big 'un, it's waiting to get fixed) for a total cost of no more than 100. It's a matter of shopping around and finding the resources you need. All the old brands were built well, none really all that much better than the rest, and all but the portables possess really good sound if they are working right. Quality dropped and consoles disappeared in the 70's and 80's, but working stand-alone turntables from then can still be found for 25-50 bucks. It depends what style you want and how much room you have. For my money, you cannot go wrong with a compact or mid-sized Zenith or Packard Bell console stereo with a Gerrard turntable from the early 1960s. Rugged and great pre-transistor sound quality. Hold out to find a working model that shows no serious damage for less than 100. You can find it, but you have to look hard and be patient.